Party Like It’s 2014

BY BRIAN K. KROLICKI | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013

Photo: Matthew B. Brown

Dear Friends,

The best part of Nevada’s upcoming sesquicentennial celebration is the fact that all Nevadans will have the opportunity to participate. It will be a year filled with delightful events and colorful tributes to the rich history of our state.

Planning for Nevada’s 150th birthday has been underway for some time, and the Nevada 150 Commission is proud to announce that there will be several wonderful ways the people of our great state can commemorate this milestone, including an opportunity to show off their Nevada pride before the official kick-off during Nevada Day weekend at the end of October.

Governor Brian Sandoval and I had the privilege of unveiling the 150th Nevada Anniversary license plate at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City on July 3. The commemorative plate simply—yet elegantly—depicts the honor Nevadans feel by being “Battle Born.” We are fortunate to experience this era of our state’s history, and the license plate is a perfect way to demonstrate your support for years to come. These plates are available now through October 2016 via the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles. A portion of the fee is donated to the Nevada 150 Foundation to help with the cost of our yearlong celebration.

Additionally, an outstanding corporate citizen of our state, Coeur Mining, Inc., gave Nevada a special early birthday present. Coeur Mining gifted a 1,000-ounce, .999 fine silver bar—mined entirely from Coeur’s Rochester Mine in Pershing County—to Governor Sandoval and me in May. This bar will be used to mint commemorative sesquicentennial medallions.

The Nevada State Museum in Carson City will fire up its historic Coin Press No. 1 on Saturday, October 26 and create the first of what is planned to be a series of four medallions that will be released quarterly. These medallions will be available for purchase and are undoubtedly a great addition to anyone’s coin collection and a perfect reminder of our beloved nickname—the Silver State.

A third exciting facet of the celebration is the United States Postal Service’s commissioning of a special stamp commemorating Nevada’s 150th birthday. Stamps are valuable collector’s items and keepsakes that can be treasured by each passing generation. We are working with the USPS on the release of this stamp, so stay tuned for more information.

Turning 150 is an exciting milestone for Nevada and worthy of a big party. I’m very excited to be part of the yearlong celebration that will start on Nevada Day 2013 and last through Nevada Day 2014. During that time, there will be at least 150 signature celebrations across the state; there is even a rumor of a birthday cake to end all birthday cakes.

Follow this column—and visit nevada150.org—for details about what’s coming up on the birthday calendar so you, your family, and friends can plan to attend as many events as possible. Who knows, you may discover your Nevada in a whole new way!.